To discover architectonic and artistic jewels of the colonial helmet of Quito, are experiences that the traveler can not leave a side, because this is the only way he will understand the essence and history of this Andean city, that is very easy to cross, but extremely difficult to forget.

Quito, in addition, can be the beginning point of fascinating adventures, that will allow you to know La Mitad del Mundo, the indigenous market of Otavalo, the National park of Cotopaxi, among other places of great interest.

In the city

Colonial Quito: It has an extension of 348 hectares. It is characterized by its high constructions of adobe, their facades, their narrow streets and the reddish roofing tiles of the ceilings. The old churches, colonial convents and houses that border their streets and squares, constitute a singular attractive. The visitor should visit the following:

Plaza de la Independencia or Plaza Grande: It is the heart of Quito. It is flanked by the Cathedral(constructed in 1565, it shows moriscas influences and it has a great amount of paintings and artistic works made by the best exponents of the School of Quito), the Palace of Government (his antiquity borders the 400 years. In one of its inner patios the mural of the famous Guayasamín (that represents the discovery of the Amazon river) can be appreciated, the Archiepiscopal Palace and the building of the Urban Administration.

Plaza de San Francisco: This architectonic complex - that honors santo patron of Quito - is constituted by a church and a monastery. Its construction - on the rests of an inca palace - was directed by the flamenco missionaryJodocko Ricke. The works began 50 days after the foundation of the city (1534), reason why is considered the oldest of the continent. The complex account with 104 doric columns. It emphasizes the scenery with images of the sun (the Inca God) that is appraised in the ceiling of the church. One of its most valuable jewels is the panel of the Immaculate Virgin of Quito (the only winged virgin of the world), work of the painter Bernardine de Legarda.

Iglesia de La Compañia By its gold bread altars and their vaulted ceiling covered by fascinating paintings, this church, whose construction delayed more than 160 years, is an exceptional sample of the Quito colonial art and the Baroque style. The temple began to be constructed between 1605 and 1606, but the last section of the work - the facade stone altarpiece carved concluded in 1766, eve of the expulsion of the jesuits of Quito, decreed by King Carlos III.

Iglesia de Santo Domingo: Located in the restlesssquare of the same name, this church is famous for thereligious beauty and excellence of his cupolas and sculptures that adorns the interior of the temple.

Iglesia de La Merced: Its tower of 47 meters is the highest of old Quito. It is considered as one of the last churches constructed in the colonial period (works began in 1700 and concluded in 1734). It has artistic works of great value and the oldest clock in the city.

Monastery of San Agustin: Once called the gold Convent, due to its excessive decoration. In one of its rooms (called La Sala Capitular) the first Act of Independence was signed (1809), whereas in its catacombs, are the remains of the Ecuadorians patriots, executed by the realistic troops (Spanish).

The Basilica: Blessed by the Pope Juan Pablo II,the 30th of January of 1985, this impressive Basilica, was constructed like perpetual monument of the Consecration from Ecuador to the Heart of Jesus. The idea to build it, was promoted by the father Julio Matovelle in 1883. The first stone was placed the 10th of July 1892.

Mirador de Panecillo: A good alternative to acknowledge the dimensions and the layout of the old city. The Panecillo hill - that at the inca's time was a temple of adoration to the called Sun Yavirac- has on its peak a gigantic image of the Virgin of the Americas.

Modern Quito: The interesting points, the Alameda park(where a series of famous Latin American busts and a great monument to Simon Bolivar can be appreciated; in addition, there is an astronomical observatory and the discreet church El Belén); the Legislative Palace, the park El Ejido, the House of the Ecuadorian Culture, the Amazonian Museum and the Guayasamín Museum, among other places.